Concessionary travel cuts U-turn

Story: Graham Jones

As reported in the last issue, thousands of older and disabled people were affected by restrictions to concessionary bus and train travel. These are to be lifted from 8th June.

The new Sheffield City Region Combined Authority approved a new scheme on 19th May. Disabled passholders will get back exactly the same travel concessions as before – free bus, train and tram travel at any time of day.

People entitled to an older person's concessionary pass will be able to travel on South Yorkshire trains at half fare between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends.

The change comes after two disabled clients of Sheffield Law Centre took a brave stand and issued judicial review proceedings against the decision to cut concessionary travel in February. Documents lodged in the High Court showed the Transport Authority had not considered the impact on disabled people adequately. This meant it had failed to comply with legal duties in the Equality Act 2010.

The Authority denied the claim but it has now been settled without a contested hearing.

One of the clients, Michelle Turner, said:

“I am extremely pleased at the outcome, for all the disabled people across South Yorkshire. It is really good to see the Authority reconsidering the needs of disabled people. “Disabled people face a lot of barriers with access to transport and services. The concession enables mobility, tackles social isolation, supports access to training, employment, volunteering and caring, and enables independent living.”

Every £1 spent on concessionary travel generates £1.50 for the economy.

In addition to the legal challenge, the transport authority has faced weekly protest action by the Barnsley Retirees Action Group and “Freedom Riders” from Sheffield, Barnsley and Doncaster. Up to 150 concessionary passholders refused to pay train fares in protest. Campaigners are continuing to seek free train travel and free bus travel from 9.00am for pensioners.